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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2426 KP) rated Public Anchovy #1 in Books

Aug 2, 2024 (Updated Aug 2, 2024)  
Public Anchovy #1
Public Anchovy #1
Mindy Quigley | 2024 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Made Their Enemy Sleep with the Fishes?
Delilah O’Leary is thrilled that she’s been asked to cater the posh fund raiser for the library since she needs events like this to help her restaurant get through the lean winter months. The event is being held at a remote mansion on the outskirts of the town. Unfortunately, the first big storm of the season is due in that night. Even worse, someone dies during the event, and the storm traps Delilah, Detective Capone, Delilah’s staff, and some of the guests, at the mansion. As it becomes clear that the death was a murder, Delilah begins to poke around. Are they trapped with a killer?

This is a mystery trope we don’t see very often any more, and I was a little concerned about the author pulling it off when I sat down to read it. I need not have worried. There was plenty here to keep me engaged and confused as we worked toward the logical climax. We do see most of the regulars (only one gets a cameo as a result of the set up), and it was nice to get updates on them. Meanwhile, the suspects kept me guessing. The atmosphere of the storm also added to the fun of the story. There are some recipes at the end, and the focus on creating a pizza with alternative ingredients. This is the best book in the series to date.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2426 KP) rated Irish Milkshake Murder in Books

Jan 4, 2024 (Updated Jan 4, 2024)  
Irish Milkshake Murder
Irish Milkshake Murder
Carlene O'Connor, Liz Ireland, Peggy Ehrhart | 2023 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Three Tales of Unlucky Milkshakes
Get ready for murder and mayhem around St. Patrick’s Day with these three fun novellas. Up first, we get “Irish Milkshake Murder” from Carlene O’Connor, which finds Tara Meehan and Danny O’Donnell’s pre-wedding party running into a storm that traps them on an island with a killer. Next up, Peggy Ehrhart takes us to New Jersey in “Murder Most Irish.” Her series characters Pamela Paterson and Bettina Fraser are on hand when a man collapses in his lunch at a local diner. But was it murder? Finally, we travel to the north pole with Liz Ireland’s “Mrs. Claus and the Luckless Leprechaun.” Spring is iceball season at the North Pole, but late after a game one night, the injured star of the local team is attacked. Can Mrs. Claus figure out who did it and why?

Since this is a novella collection, all three of these stories are fast reads. But the authors still pack in plenty of twists. They also do a good job of introducing their characters and the worlds they inhabit, so it is easy to jump in if you aren’t familiar with them. The St. Patrick’s Day theme is strong in each story as well. This is a book you’ll be happy to pull out in March and enjoy with your favorite minty milkshake. Who knows, you might even find a new series to read.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2426 KP) rated Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine in Books

Oct 1, 2025 (Updated Oct 1, 2025)  
Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine
Mrs. Claus and the Very Vicious Valentine
Liz Ireland | 2025 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Penned a Real Poisonous Valentine?
It’s a few days before Valentine’s Day, and April Claus is getting ready for her best friend’s wedding. Claire, a friend from Oregon, is marrying Jake Frost. But as the bridal party is at a dress fitting, someone leaves them a note with a threatening Valentine in it. April isn’t quite sure how seriously to take it. That is, until someone dies the next day at the next dress fitting. Can April figure out who the killer is? Or will the mayhem destroy Claire and Jake’s special day?

This series is a favorite of mine, and this book is no exception. There is so much going on here that I was never bored, even though I figured things out a little early. It was great to spend time with the returning characters, and the new characters fit right into this world. And what a world it is. There is a fantasy element to it, but the mystery is still center stage. The author has done such a great job of world building. It is very sweet and clever and each new detail makes me think “How else would things be?” And yes, I am still laughing and chuckling as I read with a grin on my face the entire way. Don’t miss this series. If you are already a fan, you’ll love this entry.